Alexander Payne

Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times

On the award circuit with: "The Descendants," the writer-director's first film since "Sideways" in 2004. Up next: Payne has stated his intention not to let seven years pass between films again. To make that reality, he's pushing to start filming his next project, the road comedy "Nebraska," this year.

On the award circuit with: "The Descendants," the writer-director's first film since "Sideways" in 2004. Up next: Payne has stated his intention not to let seven years pass between films again. To make that reality, he's pushing to start filming his next project, the road comedy "Nebraska," this year. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

On the award circuit with: "The Descendants," the writer-director's first film since "Sideways" in 2004. Up next: Payne has stated his intention not to let seven years pass between films again. To make that reality, he's pushing to start filming his next project, the road comedy "Nebraska," this year.